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News tagged with „Power Industry“

October 2014

The Fukushima nuclear disaster cost Germany and its neighbours dear. A study conducted by ZEW shows that Germany's nuclear phase-out led to an increase in electricity costs on the European Energy Exchange by an average of seven per cent in the two years after the accident. read more

February 2014

IT is of growing importance to companies in the energy economy. Many processes are automated and connected using control software. This creates a risk for companies in the energy economy to be attacked by hackers; software errors or computer viruses can cause large-scale power blackouts. Germany’s major power supply facilities, however, seem to be well or at least sufficiently protected from IT errors and cyber attacks. This view is maintained by the majority of the approximately 170 energy market experts from science and business surveyed by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) for the semi-annual Energy Market Barometer. read more

January 2014

In the period between 1995 and 2007, energy efficiency, i.e. a more economical use of resources producing emissions, was improved by 18 per cent globally. This is an important contribution to climate protection. In some countries, including large economies like the United States and Japan, energy efficiency improvements are in particular the result of a shift towards less energy-intensive production sectors. However, in most countries, including Germany, China, Canada, France and India, improvements in technology were a major factor in this positive development. According to a current study carried out by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim, increasing energy efficiency is a key element of climate protection policy. read more

July 2013

Rising energy prices burden low income households. These households may have a tough time paying for their energy consumption in the near future. They will have to cut energy consumption or shift household expenditures. According to energy experts, energy costs reach a critical level when they eat up about ten per cent of the disposable household income. These are the findings of the biannual ZEW Energy Market Barometer, a survey among experts from the energy sector conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW). read more

February 2013

Major customers such as industrial companies, huge business enterprises, municipalities, and other final consumers demanding large amounts of energy can expect stable prices for electricity, oil, natural gas, and coal in the next six months. In the next five years, however, a rise in energy prices on a large scale lies ahead. This is the result of the ZEW Energy Market Barometer (ZEW Energiemarktbarometer), a survey conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW). Every six months, some 200 experts from the energy sector give an assessment on the short- and medium-term trends of energy prices for major customers. The current survey was conducted at the end of 2012 (see end of the press release). read more

January 2013

Exploiting shale gas using the controversial "fracking" method has led to a strong decrease of gas prices in the United States. In the European Union (EU), however, fracking, i.e. the extraction of gas resources in rocks by injecting water and chemicals under high pressure, would not pay off given the current gas prices. Fracking would only pay off within the EU if gas prices increased significantly. This is a result of the ZEW Energiemarktbarometer (Energy Market Barometer), a semi-annual survey conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) among some 200 experts from the energy sector. read more

July 2012

For Germany as well as for other industrial countries, an undisturbed supply of crude oil and natural gas is of great importance. Researchers of the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) surveyed some 200 experts from the energy industry in Germany who highlighted aspects perceived as guaranteeing an undisturbed supply: long-existing supply relationships with countries exporting crude oil and natural gas, and a high degree of economic development within these countries. A destabilising effect, however, is a high level of corruption in the supplying country’s administration and economy. This is the assessment of the current ZEW Energy Market Barometer. Every six months, about 200 experts from the energy industry are surveyed on current topics for the ZEW Energy Market Barometer. read more

Until the end of 2012, major costumers in Germany probably do not have to expect further increases in energy prices. The picture, however, changes if looking on a five-year time horizon. Viewed from this mid-term perspective, industrial companies, commercial enterprises, municipalities, and other end consumers, which have a high demand of electricity, fossil oil, natural gas, and coal will have to prepare themselves for a significant increase in prices. This is the finding of a survey of the ZEW Energy Market Barometer among about 200 experts from the energy industry and the scientific world. They were interviewed in mid-2012 on the short-term and long-term trends with energy prices for major costumers. read more

February 2012

Major customers do not have to fear an increase of energy prices until mid-2012. But, within the horizon of five years, a rise in energy prices for industrial companies, larger industrial units, municipalities, and other final customers who demand electricity, oil, natural gas, and coal on a large scale is almost certain. These are the findings of a survey by the ZEW Energy Market Barometer among 200 experts from the energy sector, who have been asked to give an assessment on the short- and medium-term trends of energy prices for major customers at the end of 2011. read more

January 2012

Experts consider the current plan of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) to regulate "load shedding" major consumers in the power grid a step in the right direction, yet they regard the further expansion of the power grid as the most important measure for safeguarding electricity supply. This is a key finding of the recent ZEW Energy Market Barometer, a biannual survey of approx.
200 experts in the energy industry. read more

July 2011

In Germany the exit from nuclear energy within ten years is possible. Due to the exit period chosen, there is no reason to fear power supply instabilities. However, the change in energy policy connected with the exit from nuclear energy is not possible without price increases in electricity. In the coming years, the crucial factors for the price development of electricity will presumably be the further development of renewable energy sources, the expansion of the power supply system, the exit from nuclear energy and the development of the gas prices. These are the findings of the current ZEW Energy Market Barometer, a survey conducted semi-annually by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim among around 200 energy experts. read more

Industrial energy consumers, especially energy-intensive companies – e.g. in the chemical industry or in steel production or aluminium production – larger business enterprises, local authorities and other final consumers with high energy needs should expect rising costs of electricity, natural gas, oil and coal. However, in the short-term, that is until around the end of 2011, customers can assume that prices for the energy sources listed above, except for electricity, will remain relatively stable. These are the findings of the ZEW Energy Market Barometer conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW)in Mannheim among around 200 energy market experts. They were interviewed about the short- and medium-term trends for energy prices for wholesale customers. read more

December 2010

Costs for the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) will rise significantly over the next few years. This will put public approval of subsidies for renewable energies in danger. This is the finding of the current ZEW-Energiemarktbarometer (Energy Market Barometer), a survey of the energy industry in Germany which is conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Mannheim and comprises the expectations of more than 200 experts. read more

July 2010

The German government will not be able to reach its goal of reducing the country’s CO2 emissions by 40 percent by 2020, as compared to 1990, due to its current environmental policy. This is the opinion of the vast majority of roughly 200 energy market experts who are regularly asked for their opinion on energy economic issues in the ZEW Energy Market Barometer. (For further information on the Energy Market Barometer, see below.) read more

Primary energy consumption in Germany will decrease by 21 percent by 2030 as compared to 2007. The main reason for this is a considerable increase in energy productivity found in the 2009 energy prognosis initiated by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWI). The energy prognosis was conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Mannheim in collaboration with the Institute of Energy Economics and the Rational Use of Energy (IER) of Stuttgart University and the Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (RWI), Essen.
Demand for electricity will rise until 2030, most notably due to the continuing trend towards single-person households. In order to cover the increasing energy consumption in Germany, more energy will have to be imported. read more

March 2010

The European Commission makes a second attempt to introduce a new energy label for electric appliances. This label is to encourage the European consumers to buy energy-saving appliances. However, there are some signs that the second attempt will not be successful either. If an appliance carries the new energy label instead of the existing European Energy Label, low energy consumption does not have a great impact on the consumer decision. Consumers are not willing to pay more for an energy-saving appliance if it is labelled with the new energy label. These are the findings of a study by Stefanie Heinzle and Rolf Wüstenhagen (University of St. Gallen) within the research project seco@home that is coordinated by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) Mannheim. The study compares TV sets with the existing European Energy Label and the new energy label as well as the labels’ impacts on consumers. read more

February 2010

Energy wholesale, industrial firms and larger business enterprises, local authorities and other ultimate consumers with high energy needs can expect stable energy prices in Germany until mid 2010. In the next five years, the wholesale customers have to expect increasing prices for oil, coal, gas and electricity. Despite the economic crisis, the long-term trend towards increasing energy prices is continuing. These are the findings of the latest ZEW Energy Market Barometer. The Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Mannheim, conducts a survey about the developments on the energy markets among around 200 energy market experts from research and industry. read more

December 2009

Now at the turn of the year, disputes between Russia and Ukraine on the gas price are again expected. Last year, there already were conflicts regarding this topic. This is the finding of the ZEW Energiemarktbarometer (Energy Market Barometer), which regularly surveys about 200 energy market experts. read more

July 2009

In the face of climate change, power stations in Europe are likely to increasingly reduce their energy production in the future. On the basis of global warming, which also causes heat waves and droughts in Europe during the summer, especially atomic power plants will be forced to curb electricity production. At this point, however, the question whether the loss of production will impair the security of power supply cannot be clearly answered. This is the result of the latest ZEW Energy Market Barometer survey among around 200 energy market experts from science and industry, which is conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) on a biannual basis. read more

June 2009

The economic crisis continues to keep the prices at the German energy markets at bay. Prices for electricity, raw oil, gas and coal are going to remain the same in the next six months. This is good news for firms and consumers in Germany. However, prices for these energy carriers are expected to rise in the next five years. These are the findings of the latest ZEW Energy Market Barometer, which surveys around 200 energy market experts and is conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) every six months. read more

February 2009

The global financial market crisis as well as the spectacular rise and fall in oil prices have ignited a debate over speculation and intensified regulations. This was sufficient cause for the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) to question 200 experts from the energy sector, who regularly take part in the ZEW Energy Market Barometer, about speculations and regulations on the crude oil market. read more

The ongoing recession and the declining industrial production coming along with it have, for the time being, ended the rise in energy prices in Germany. The prices for electricity, crude oil and coal will stagnate in the coming six months. The price for natural gas will even fall by mid-year. However, for the coming five years prices for electricity, oil, coal and gas are likely to rise again. These are the findings of the latest ZEW Energy Market Barometer conducted end 2008 among 200 energy experts from academia and industry about the development on the energy markets. read more

January 2009

The dispute between Russia, a gas producer, and the Ukraine, a transit country for gas delivery, has had consequences in particular for Eastern European EU member states, and has shifted energy security to the forefront of political concern in Europe. The ZEW Energy Market Barometer is a survey of energy-market experts conducted on a biannual basis by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW). In November and December of 2008, the participating experts were asked to assess supply security with regard to various energy sources. "Over the mid-term a worsening of supply security for gas and oil is to be expected. Experts anticipate that the current dispute over natural gas supplies will not have a dramatic impact on Germany. The country should take heed of recent events, however, and boost energy security by increasing the use of liquefied natural gas and by investing in new pipelines and storage reservoirs", says Dr Andreas Löschel, head of the ZEW-research department "Environmental and Resource Economics, Environmental Management". read more

August 2008

According to energy market experts, the energy security in Europe will decrease over the next ten years. Especially the energy security through crude oil is assessed pessimistically. Regarding the question on energy security through oil, over 52 per cent of the experts indicate that the energy security in Europe through this energy source will decrease over the next ten years. Whereas only about three per cent believe in an increasing energy security through oil and about 45 per cent expect an unmodified situation. But also the energy security through natural gas and electricity is assessed with criticism by the experts. Only with carbon, there are as many experts expecting decreasing energy security as there are experts expecting increasing energy security over the next ten years. These are the results of a survey conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW)in Mannheim, Germany in the course of the ZEW Energy Market Barometer which every six months interviews 200 energy market experts on the developments on the energy markets. read more

Energy experts expect rising prices for natural gas, coal, electricity and crude oil over the next six months. The vast majority of them estimate that even in the long term (over the coming five years), the costs of those energy sources will grow. Only a small minority forecasts that energy prices will fall. This is the result of the recent ZEW Energiemarktbarometer (Energy Market Barometer), a biannual survey among 200 energy market experts carried out by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW). read more

March 2008

According to market experts, German energy policy focuses too strongly on environmental compatibility, while a significantly lower priority is given to other important objectives, such as an energy supply at low costs or security of supply. This is the finding of the current ZEW Energiemarktbarometer (Energy Market Barometer), a survey of the energy industry in Germany, which is conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Mannheim, and comprises the expectations of more than 200 experts, who are regularly asked for their opinion on energy economic issues. read more

February 2008

During the past months, the oil price reached new weekly record highs. For the coming six months, the situation in the crude oil market is going to stabilise, while a further price increase in natural gas is expected. This is the opinion of the majority of the 200 energy market experts surveyed by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW). Every six months, the ZEW-survey reveals their assessment of the situation in the energy markets. On a five years time horizon, the survey participants expect further increasing prices, especially of natural gas and electricity, as well as coal and oil. read more

October 2007

The vast majority of the experts interviewed in the course of the ZEW Energiemarktbarometer (Energy Market Barometer) estimate that in the long term (over the coming five years) industry customers will have to pay more for electricity and that the prices for natural gas, crude oil and coal will rise as well. In the short term (over the next six months) most of the experts expect stagnating coal and gas prices whereas the share of those who forecast stagnating electricity and oil prices and the share of experts who forecast a price increase for those two energy sources, balance out one another. This is the result of the recent ZEW Energiemarktbarometer, a survey among more than 200 energy experts conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim. read more

June 2007

Politics is frequently faced with the problem that reforms, recommended by experts, are met with rejection by large parts of the population. The resistance against change often appears irrational. According to many experts, these changes are of indispensable necessity such as the increase in the statutory retirement age or measures to liberalise the labour market. Against this background, ZEW examined on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Finance the resistance against reforms that takes place on a psychological level and diverges from the assumption of homo oeconomicus' strict rationality.
These findings are presented in the current ZEWnews edition of June 2007. read more

March 2007

In the short term (i.e. in the coming six months), the majority of the experts interviewed in the course of the ZEW Energy Market Barometer expect stagnating energy prices. In the long-term (i.e. in the next five years) on the other hand, the majority estimates higher electricity prices for industrial clients as well as higher natural gas, crude oil and coal prices. These are the findings of the recent ZEW Energy Market Barometer, a survey among more than 200 energy experts conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim. read more

August 2006

The vast majority of the experts questioned for the ZEW Energiemarktbarometer (Energy Market Barometer) support the determined measures of the European Commission to liberalise electricity markets. This applies to the steps taken against EU member states as well as individual companies. read more

July 2006

Energy experts expect electricity, natural gas and crude oil to become significantly more expensive in the coming five years. Coal prices, on the other hand, will increase less over this period of time. On a six-month horizon, the expectations regarding the increase or stagnation of prices for the mentioned energy sources are mostly balanced. Reductions in the prices for energy sources are considered unlikely. These are the findings of the current ZEW Energy Market Barometer by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Mannheim. The biannual survey is conducted among approximately 200 experts from energy supply companies, energy-trading companies, and energy service providers, who are asked to give their expectations concerning short and medium-term developments on the national and international energy markets. read more

February 2006

Politicians tend to favour the model of so-called 'national champions' to ensure the international competitiveness of German enterprises. With regard to the energy sector, this should be seen in the light of the fact that in other European countries, individual companies like EdF, a French quasi monopolist, hold larger market shares than the German companies do on the German market. However, this industrial policy approach to the German energy sector earns little approval from energy experts. read more

Multiple concerns have recently been raised about how the European Union's energy supply is subject to the political mood in Russia due to import dependency. According to most experts interviewed for the ZEW Energy Market Barometer, however, the large imports of Russian oil are no cause for concern. Gas dependency is viewed more seriously. Still, the experts do not fear for the immediate supply security. read more

Energy experts assume that natural gas will become considerably more expensive over the next six months, whereas coal and crude oil prices are expected to remain largely unchanged in this period of time. The six-month forecasts for rising and stagnating electricity prices are about balanced. On a two-year horizon, however, all energy sources are expected to become more expensive. read more

August 2005

The willingness to invest in new power plants has increased over the past eighteen months. Investing in new and existing electricity grids, however, seems to be considered less attractive. In Germany, chances for new power retail associations are expected to improve in view of the impending regulation of electricity grid fees. read more

February 2005

In Germany, prices for natural gas and electricity are likely to rise over the coming six months. By contrast, crude oil, mineral oil and coal prices are expected to remain stable in the short term. On a five-year horizon, however, experts assume that these energy sources will increase in price as well. read more

The contentious discussion on the German nuclear phase-out, which has flared up again over the past weeks, shows that the debate on this issue is far from over. Given the 28 per cent share of nuclear energy in German energy generation, one question repeatedly arises: how to cover energy demand after shutting down nuclear power plants? read more

September 2004

Not many enterprises will have to bear a great burden from the European emissions trading system. More than 80 percent of the participants of an expert survey conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim, Germany, see the price for carbon dioxide emission rights at the beginning of 2005, the onset of the European emissions trading system, below ten Euro per ton of carbon dioxide. About 31 percent estimate the price even below five Euro. read more